News – Business & Economi

Orders to U.S. industry rose for the second consecutive month in December, driven by increased business investment.

According to figures released Friday by the Commerce Department, orders for manufactured goods rose 1.1% in December.

Market economists polled by Reuters had expected, however, an average increase of 1.5%.

The November figure was however revised upwards and shows an increase of 2.2% instead of 1.8% initially announced.

Over the full year 2011, industrial orders rose 12.1%, against an increase of 12.9% in 2010. 

Excluding transportation, orders rose 0.6% in December after rising 0.5% (revised) in the previous month.

Orders for nondefense capital goods and aircraft, considered a barometer of morale of entrepreneurs and their investment plans, surged 3.1% after falling 1.5% in November.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy had recorded a moderate growth in recent weeks, while emphasizing that the recruitment remained rare and that the housing market showed little signs of improvement.

In its "beige book" summary of economic conditions in the 12 districts of the U.S. central bank, the Fed also notes that the pressures on consumer prices remained moderate and some cost pressures had decreased.

This finding is likely to give more leeway to the Fed in terms of monetary easing if growth were to weaken in early 2012 because of the consequences of global activity in the European debt crisis.

For now, the report confirms what had already been said in the latest "Beige Book" dated: the growth of the economy is not threatened, but the conditions underlying depression can not lower the unemployment rate, currently 9%.

"Overall, economic activity grew at a slow to moderate pace since the last report (…) except the district of St.

Right in the debate on greater involvement of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the rescue of the euro, the institution claimed to have bought nearly 8 billion euros of bonds fragile last week against four, 5 billion the previous week. ECB

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced Monday that it bought nearly 8 billion euros of government bonds on the secondary market over a week against nearly 4.5 billion euros over the previous seven days. The total purchases of the ECB as part of this program, which began in May 2010 when the emergence of the Greek debt crisis, this is close to the threshold of 200 billion euros (194.5 billion euros).

The ECB never gives details of its operations, to know which country and how much it bought the debt.

Germany's GDP should grow by just 0.8% in 2012 as planned. The first euro zone economy could contract in the same season. Germany

The growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will significantly slow the German next year, have predicted Thursday the major economic research institutes of Europe's largest economy, while the country will be affected by a financial crisis that is stain of oil. GDP is expected to increase by only 0.8% in 2012 from 2.9% expected this year, well below the previous forecast of these institutions (2%) and the official government forecast (1.8 %).

In a degraded environment, the government deficit in Germany, however, should continue to melt, reaching 0.9% this year and 0.6% next year, conservation efforts and strong revenue from this years bearing fruit.But Germany, whose economy is heavily export recovered strongly after the 2009 recession, can not escape the effects of the crisis of European public finances, about to lead to a banking crisis, economists predict .

Risk of credit crunch

"Because of the difficult situation of important partners, foreign trade should no longer participate in the growth," they write. The debt crisis raging, and the discussions that accompany it, also lead to "a crisis of confidence" that would restrain domestic demand. The problems of banks, which appear more and more fragile, will lead to difficult financing conditions that will hamper investment.

These difficulties are expected to peak in the fourth quarter of this year, with a decline in GDP (-0.2%).The institutes expect positive growth in every quarter of next year, but very modest. Any assessment is pessimistic economists, Germany should avoid a recession (two consecutive quarters of GDP contraction).

And good news, the labor market should continue to do relatively well, with a further decline in unemployment, due to 6.7% next year on average. German unemployment is at its lowest for 20 years. The bi-annual forecasts of the institutes are the basis for official government estimates, which will release its forecast adjusted Thursday.

Arnaud Montebourg is the arbiter of the final duel between Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande in the Socialist primary. It requires commitment of both candidates on his favorite themes: the de-globalization, the moralization of finance and the renovation of political institutions. Decryption. Arnaud Montebourg received 17.2% of the votes in the first round of the Socialist primary, Sunday, October 9.

He is the man most courted of the week. With over 17.2% of votes in the first round of the Socialist primary, Arnaud Montebourg can tip the vote of the electorate to the left in the second round, Sunday, Oct. 16, in favor of either Francois Hollande (39, 2% of the vote) or Martine Aubry (30.7%). The deputy of Saone-et-Loire is also raising the stakes: the champion of de-globalization conditioned its support for consideration by the two contenders of his campaign themes.He waits, before deciding to know the positions of mayor of Lille and the member for Corrèze on four themes: "industrial protectionism, financial control, the Fifth Republic and the fight against corruption," Does detailed it in an interview with Liberation. The ideas of Arnaud Montebourg can they find their place in the curricula of Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande? In part, yes.

The fight against corruption

Behind the term corruption, Arnaud Montebourg is of course the dirty business of French politics – the case Karachi, suitcases and of course Ziad Takieddine Guerin splashing the PS of the Bouches-du-Rhone, but also tax havens. The deputy of Saone-et-Loire wants to dismantle tax havens. To do this, he advocates a ban on transactions originating in or destined for the territories.He wants to force French companies have subsidiaries in tax havens to be closed and will repatriate "hidden money" in these territories. It also promises to "severely punish" evasion.

If they have not been a major theme of their campaign, Francois Hollande and Martine Aubry are widely separated positions Montebourg in this area. The two finalists in the primary would also like to strengthen the fight against tax havens. The project also calls for the PS to prohibit banking secrecy within the European Union.

Financial control

Throughout his campaign, Arnaud Montebourg has been the voice of the struggle against "financial chaos". He argues for "dirigiste measures and prohibition." He wants to dismantle such rating agencies and offers in return for establishing a European public rating agency.He also advocated the establishment of an authority markets at European level and the merger of European stock exchanges to avoid unnecessary competition. Montebourg also argues for a 0.1% tax on financial transactions European … being adopted in Europe For banks, the deputy of Saone-et-Loire wants to "put under trusteeship." This would, he said, with an entry "authoritarian" state to the board of financial institutions, with a veto. The first act of the state would force them to separate their banking and retail banking.

Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande agree to force banks to split their activities. However, they are less enthusiastic about the proposal to enter without consideration to their governing body. This can be done, according to two candidates, if the State recapitalize banks.The tax on financial transactions in Europe and the creation of a European public rating agency proposals are included in the proposed PS. No word, however, on a possible merger of the exchanges.

Industrial protectionism

It's his hobby: the "de-globalization" – even if it does not use that word in the letter he sent to Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande. Arnaud Montebourg advocates the introduction of a carbon tax outside the borders of the EU imported products reflect "fair carbon cost, health and social", coupled with a carbon tax "within the Union European "encourage" companies to change their ways of producing. "The deputy of Saone-et-Loire advocates also provide France with an anti-dumping: a mechanism for unilateral ban certain products to market (non-EU) "in case of aggression by trade unfairly low prices."

On this subject, Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande are more cautious. The mayor of Lille prefers to speak of "fair trade" and "globalization safer." Specifically, it supports the creation of a tax "social and environmental planning at the entrance" of the products manufactured outside the EU. François Hollande speaks for his "new rules" of world trade, negotiated with other European partners, with "taxation" or "entry ban" of certain products, particularly from China. But according to the member of Corrèze, protectionism and autarky are not adequate responses.He believes that restoring the competitiveness of lights and the establishment of a genuine industrial policy are the best weapons against the adverse effects of globalization.

The Sixth Republic

For ten years, Arnaud Montebourg defends a change of constitution. The Sixth Republic is calling for that allocate roles between "a president who will, a government with the fullness of his powers and a Parliament with enhanced supervisory powers including the opposition." It would be a strong focus on popular initiative referendum, would end the impunity of the head of the state and would prohibit multiple directorships.

Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande do not return to their account the change of Republic but are in favor of a "modernization of political life." The mayor of Lille is to prohibit multiple directorships.She wants to introduce more proportionate in the national and local elections. Francois Hollande said that he will "put the institutions on their feet" "with a president who presides over a government that governs, a parliament that legislates." PS The project also plans to set up popular referendums.

Finally, proposals for Arnaud Montebourg are certainly more radical but not so far removed from those of Martine Aubry and Francois Hollande. "Do not overestimate the differences between Arnaud Montebourg and the other candidates. Arnaud used a more aggressive tone, but it is not necessarily become global justice. The measures that are advocated in the socialist family," concludes Olivier Ferrand, president of Terra Nova, the think tank of the PS.

The weekly jobless claims rose against all odds in the United States during the week to September 10, at 428,000 against 417,000 the previous week, said Thursday the Labor Department.

Economists on average had expected 410,000 jobless.

Registration of the week to September 3 were revised up from an initial estimate of 414,000.

The moving average of four weeks stood at 419,500 against 415,500 (revised) the previous week.

The number of people receiving regular benefits rose to 3.726 million during the week to September 3 (last week for which figures are available) against 3,738,000 the previous week.

Financial markets of the Old World still hesitant on Tuesday morning. They fall one after the other, after all, however, opened up. European stock markets lost between 2.44 and 0.21%, to 10.15.

European stock markets remain extremely volatile on Tuesday morning. After starting up, they dive back one after the other. Paris gives 2.44% to 10.15, Frankfurt 0.21% 0.30% Milan, London and Madrid 0.71% 0.35%. While few minutes after the opening, Frankfurt gained 1.6%, London and Paris 0.78% 0.66% and 2% took Milan and Madrid 1.24%.

The announcement of a possible intervention of China on the European debt market appeared to calm the fears of some investors. Italy is in fact in talks with Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC about the buyback, according to press reports.

But the Greek case and fears about U.S. growth continues to angst investors and banks to shake the very battered in recent sessions, due to their exposure to sovereign debt. The idea of ​​a default Helvetic returned in force in the financial markets. It has even been suggested directly by the German Minister of Economy Philipp Rösler, in an interview with Die Welt newspaper.

"Avoid default uncontrolled"

Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, felt the need to "avoid any uncontrolled process in the euro area", referring to a bankruptcy of Greece as it is discussed with emphasis in Germany these days."The first priority is to avoid a default unchecked, because it would affect not only Greece, and because the risk that affects us all, or at least many other countries, is very high," Detailed Chancellor in a radio interview Inforadio.

The NYSE has to when she rebounded late in the session Monday. The Dow Jones finally won 0.63% and the Nasdaq 1.10%. In Asia, Tokyo ended Tuesday's session up 0.95% due to bargain hunting, after the Nikkei closing at its lowest for two and a half years yesterday. Monday, major European stock markets had yielded between 1.60 and 4%, and recorded two consecutive sessions of decline.

The UMP is considering the possibility of lowering unemployment benefits for top earners. Medef protests. Update on the controversy. The compensation of executives in unemployment in the viewfinder of the UMP. What exactly is the proposal of the UMP?

Speaking of "proposal" is a bit premature. It is rather a reflection outlined by Bruno Le Maire in an interview with L'Express, in the form of question: "Can we keep a system of unemployment benefits among the most generous in the world, especially for executives with high salaries? "asked the Minister of Agriculture, also supports the party platform for 2012. But this idea does not come from nowhere. It was brought by Peter Méhaignerie early years, in an interview with Marc Landre, Le Figaro journalist and host of the blog The Cartoon Network.And quickly put away in the closet.

Why is unemployment compensation cap frames?

Because the government does not know where to save money, and that the financial situation of the UI is poor: 10.5 billion euros of debt accumulated by the end of the year, and a deficit of 2 billion for 2011. Yet some executives, those who earn 11,000 euros a month and can accommodate up to 6000 euros per month. And for two years. The temptation is great to scrounge money from this population, especially as our European neighbors, the limits of compensation are much lower: 1400 in Spain, Germany 2200 or 1000 in Italy, as Marc Landré points.

It would still not a measure of social justice?

Difficult to present it as such … Managers reported more than they cost to unemployment insurance, as confirmed Unedic.Bernard Van Craeynest, the President of the CFE-CGC, for his part said on BFM TV "they account for 30% funding of unemployment insurance and consume roughly 15 or 17%." In fact, they are less affected by unemployment than other occupational groups and the contributions they pay are higher, since these contributions are a fixed percentage of salary and wages are higher. Lower the contribution limit would create a mechanical reduction of these contributions, and crop revenue so the UI, as outlined Laurence Parisot, president of MEDEF, against the proposal. Unless you do not reduce contributions … "It would be discrimination, an analysis of the trade union CFE-CGC. And it would be questionable in court for breach of equality, the principle is that you receive based on what you contribute."

The German Constitutional Court will decide in early September on the constitutionality of the contribution of Germany plans to help Europe to Greece, Ireland and Portugal, a decision that could limit the flexibility of Berlin in the management the debt crisis that has shaken the euro area.

The Court in Karlsruhe said in a statement it will make September 7 at 8:00 GMT its decision after examining three complaints filed in July by six Eurosceptics.

The plaintiffs, five German university and a member of the conservative party CSU, believe that the plans of aid granted to Greece, Ireland and Portugal with the support of Berlin violate the German Basic Law and the European treaties, in especially a provision that a State may not be bailing out by others ("no bail out clause").

Five of the complainants had already, in the 1990s, tried unsuccessfully to the German Constitutional Court to prevent the introduction of the single European currency.

The German government insists that the participation of Berlin to the rescue of the most indebted countries in the euro area was done legally.

"I am confident that the decision of the Constitutional Court will confirm that we have violated neither the Constitution nor the European treaties," he reiterated Saturday the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble.

Legal experts consider unlikely that the court in Karlsruhe decided to block German participation in the loans to countries in debt, but expect that judges impose conditions for granting new aid to states in the euro area.

The Court may require that such contributions to the Berlin European mechanism for financial stability – which will manage the bailout fund in 2013 – in the future are subject to a vote of the German parliament.

With the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the EU approved since last year of financial aid to Greece, Ireland and Portugal totaling 273 billion euros. Another plan decided to Athens last month provides some 109 billion euros in state aid.

Part of the German public opinion has recently offended by these bailouts, accusing its beneficiaries to have too long been living beyond their means.The current case in Karlsruhe gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel an argument over his hard line in managing the debt crisis in the euro area.

Germany has found it unnecessary to reinforce the existing European Financial Stability Fund and opposed the creation of Euro-bonds, while several European countries and financial markets increasing calls to create these bonds common to all the euro area.

It reached 2.5% in July against 2.7% in June and May. The ECB should not raise rates until the fall. The logo of the euro to the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

Inflation down slightly in July in the euro area to 2.5%, according to a first estimate Friday of the EU statistics office, Eurostat. She was by 2.7% in June as the month of May Inflation appears to end slightly below expectations of analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires, which projected to stabilize at 2.7%.

It remains for the eighth consecutive year above the threshold of 2% target over the medium term by the European Central Bank (ECB). In early July, the Mint has once again raised its key interest rate to 1.50% against 1.25% previously.Considering the economic recovery in the euro zone on track and worrisome inflation, the ECB had made its first increase in nearly three years in April.

The ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, suggested that a break would be made in the rate hike. Economists expect an increase before the next fall.